Take Some Brave Steps

A version of “Take Some Brave Steps” was originally shared with the Campfire Chic newsletter subscribers on May 28, 2013. Be a part of that 200+ group and be the first to get this content, discounts, and other opportunities.

Take Some Brave Steps

Take a quick look at the calendar…there are only 5 months until Christmas. Yep, I had the same reaction when I received a newsletter in early May reminding me that now is the time to prep my online shop for the holidays. The newsletter went on to say how I need to start stocking up on packing supplies, perfecting any sort of special wrapping I’m going to include, that I should be looking to take new photos for items, and securing ad space. My eyes bugged out as I quickly scanned the room for a calendar…I still had time, right?

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the rockstars who are working on whatever it is people are supposed to be doing to prepare for the end of the calendar year…I also get that the “holiday rush” starts in September for many online sellers. Totally get it, I’ve been there – I was the one in line at the post office everyday, I was the one adding extra cards to packages, and I was the one placing those “last-minute” gift orders for my loved ones.

But let me tell you how I felt after reading the newsletter: like a failure. That, for some reason, I wasn’t going to catch up…do you know that feeling? Like, here I am cruising along, doing my thing. and boom, I’m ugly-crying in the emergency lane while everybody else speeds by. I felt like I was taking too much time researching and planning and whatnot and not enough time actually doing anything. I felt like I was holding myself back by making too many plans.

It’s time to move into traffic and whatever other “get moving” metaphor speaks to you.

It’s time to:

pay for that gym membership

cancel the movie channels

say “no thank you” to the free soda refills

register that domain name

step up to the registrar’s desk at the local college

step away from project that just isn’t working out (so you can come back with fresh eyes)

Time to take a brave step.

The hardest part of a journey is the first step out the door. You can spend months planning, saving, re-planning, preparing…but for some reason, taking that step over your threshold is the hardest step. Maybe you step outside and run back into the safety of your house to do one last check to make sure you have everything (but really, you just want to be back where it is familiar and safe), or maybe you keep going knowing you can get help along the way, if needed.

So let’s do it.

Let’s take that brave step and get this show on the road!

What brave steps have you taken lately?
How do you feel about The F Word (failure)?

I’ve found that when I’m feeling like a failure, its generally because I lack perspective. I can’t see all the good things that I’ve done, or all the positive things that have come about. Even if though things don’t look exactly how I imagined they would — and they’ve usually turned for the better (and definitely more interesting).

I think taking that first step to break out of the cycle of perceived failure is probably one of the bravest things I’ve tried to do in a while.

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Campfire Chic is my story as a crafty camper. I share my story as a 9-5er looking for adventure and a handmade life. The posts I share encourage readers to take risks and try new things, like camping, rock climbing, and yoga, while maintaining their current interests and responsibilities. Campfire Chic is about accepting challenges, setting achievable goals, and documenting the journey toward the finish line.